Railway wateb-column



E. E. JOHNSON.

RAILWAY WATER COLUMN.

APPLICATRUN FILED SEPTUZG 19!? 1,304,777. Patented May 27, 1919.

4 BHEETS-SHEET I I E. E. JOHNSON.

RAILWAY WATER COLUMN.

APPLICATION HLED szrnzs um.

Patented May 27, 1919.

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E. E. JOHNSON.

RMLWAY WATER COLUMN. APPLICATlON HLED SEFT.26.19H.

1,304,777. Patented May 27, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

has F/[orne E. E. JOHNSON.

RAILWAY WATEfi CULUMN.

APPHCATION FILED SEPLZS. um.

Patented May 27, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E. JOHNSON, OF ST. PAUL, MINNEBO'I'A.

RAILWAY WATER-COLUMN.

Application filed September 26, 1917.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, EnwAnu E. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway Water-Columns, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to railway water columns and has for its object to provide a Water column embodying a revoluble standpipe having a continuously and uniformly curved delivery-pipe extended from the upper end thereof, and a discharge-spout mounted thereon and supported thereby so as to be freely movable along the deliverypipe and to discharge into tenders of varying heights and at varying distances from the center of the stand-pipe. It is a particular object of my invention to provide a de livery-pipe curved in the arc of a circle and extended outwardly from the standpipe a distance such that when the delivery-pipe is swung into a plane extending across the tracks the delivery-pipe itself will bridge a considerable portion of the distance between the center of the stand-pipe and the track center in which the water hole of the tender falls. Upon this curved extension is mounted a discharge-spout which is wholly sup ported at all times by the curved extension or delivery-pipe. My curved delivery-pipe and discharge-spout together constitute a water way in effect a single broad semicircle or return bend from the stand-pipe to the water hole. The discharge-spout is of sheet metal and very much larger in cross sectional area at practically all points, excepting the extreme outer end, than the delivery-pipe and may be of any conveniently fabricated shape. Connected with or formed as a part of the discharge-spout is a supporting member curved to substantially the maximum radius of the deliverypipe, and adapted to slide along it or over an anti-friction roller mounted thereon. The end of the discharge-spout has a range of six feet or more of vertical movement and of two or three feet of horizontal movement so that within both these limits it lies inoperative position between the delivery-pipe and tenders of differing heights standing on tracks differently s aced. With this construction, therefore i .is possible for one size of stand-pi e to beemployed between paralleltracks w erein the track cen- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 27, 1919.

Serial No. 193,374.

tors are separated sixteen, eighteen, or twenty feet, and the water column will serve locomotive tenders throughout the entire range of six feet or more of different heights with equal facility from a position midway between any such track centers. The spout is also free to move laterally in a direction along the track, sometimes necessitated by creeping of the locomotive after the spout has been inserted in the water hole, 51" by poor spotting. Generally stated my improved water column provides a cheap and eliicient construction perfectly flexible in operation for all ranges of height of tenders and distances between track centers which are met with in the present railway practice, so that a single device meets all conditions of service.

The full objects and advantages of my in vention will appear in connection with the detailed description thereof and are particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, illustrating the application of my invention in one form,-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a water column embodying my invention after the same has been swung into position across the track showing the extent to which the curved delivery-pipe bridges the gap between the stand-pipe and the tender. Fig. 2 is an elevation view of a water column taken in the plane of the delivery-pipe with the discharge-spout in retracted position, as in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation view similar to Fig. 1 showing a stand-pipe erected between closely spaced tracks such as tracks having sixteen feet between centers, with the discharge-spout illustrated in its upper and lower delivery positions. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 except'that the stand-pipe is located between tracks havin greater track centers, as a twenty foot trac center. On the scale shown the track centers of Fig. 3 would be sixteen feet; and of Fig. 4, would be twenty feet. Fig; 5 is a side elevation, somewhat enlarged, of parts shown in Fig. 1 with the spout in vertical section. Fig. 6 is a to plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 1. ig. 7 is a sectional view on line 7--7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8--8 of Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a sectional view on line 9-9 of Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail of the anti-friction roller.

As illustrated the stand-pipe 10 may be of any desired form and may be rotatable throughout its length or may be fixedly secured in connection with a water supply. In either event it is provided with a curved delivery-pipe 11 connected to the stand-pipe 10 by a member 12. This connection would have a rigid joint: with the stand-pipe 10 if the latter is rotataJb-ly connected with the water supply; but if the stand-pipe 10 is rigid the connection 12 would provide a rotatable joint between the delivery-pipe 11 and stand-pipe 10. The delivery-pipe 11 is a continuation of the standpipe 10 and is preferably made of light weight steel pipe bent to form, or may be fabricated from short sections Welded together by any of the commonly used processes. It is carried on the are of a. circle with a radius of substantially one-half, or more than one-half, of the distance between track centers of most closely spaced tracks between which the stand-pipe is designed to operate. Thus if the minimum distance between track centers is sixteen feet and the maximum twenty feet, the radius of curvature of the center of the delivery-pipe would be four feet, or somewhat more than four feet. As clearly indicated in Fig. 3. the delivery pipe 11 has a curved portion 13 extending beyond the vertical radius of this curve so that a large part of the distance between the stand-pipe and the tender water hole in the plane of the center of the track, even for the greatest distance between track centers, is adapted to be bridged by the delivery-pipe itself when the same is swung into position at right angles to the track. This extension of the stand-pipe provides a broadly sweeping circularly curved water way of the least frictional resistance, to guide the stream from its vertical direction in the standpipe into a downwardly inclined direction at the end of the delivery-pipe and at the same time to carry it across the major portion of thedis tanoe to be bridged between the stand-pipe and the water hole.

The highest point in the delivery-pipe in any water column is the measure of the static head required to deliver water throu h it, and my delivery-pipe, as shown herein, can meet current operating conditions and be placed from one to two and a half feet lower than any other type, thus requiring that much less head to operate, or with any given source of supply adding that much to the active head under which the water is delivered.

Mounted upon the circularly curved delivery-pipe 11 is a discharge-spout 14. The delivery-pipe is the sole support of this discharge-spout. The discharge-spout is entirely free to move along the delivery-pipe from inoperative position shown in Fig. 1 to any one of a number of operative positions indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. The dischargespout is preferably formed of sheet metal with a discharge nozzle 15 of slightly larger diameter than the extreme end 16 of the delivery-pipe 11, as indicated in Fig. 2. In other particulars the discharge spout 14 has a generally curved upper periphery 39 and a straight line lower periphery 17 with an enlarged rear opening 19 which surrounds the delivery-pipe 11 so as to permit a lar e degree of oscillatory movement of the d18- chargespout 14 upon and in the plane of the delivery-pipe 11. The general shape of the discharge-spout resembles somewhat that of av pelicans bill and, as shown in cross-sectional Figs. 7, 8 and 9, has practically circular end openings with end portions tapering up to an enlarged inverted pear shaped middle portion. For convenience of fabrication from sheet metal the spout may be made of three sections 20, 21, and 22 angularly joined as indicated at 23 and 24. Tangentially secured to the top portions of these sections by welding, rivets, or in any other suitable manner, as indicated in Fig. 5, is a. tracker bar 25 which may be formed of bar steel and Which is curved in the arc of a circle having a radius the same as the radius of the larger periphery of the circular delivery-pipe 11. The bar 25 rests upon a roller 26 mounted in a. housing 27 secured to the upper periphery of the delivery pipe 11, and formed with a smoothly rising inclined portion 27 adjacent the roller. Riveted t0 the sides of the forward section 22 of the discharge-spout 14 are bars or handles 28 and 29 which are continued in a top loop handle 30, as best shown in Fig. 2. The lower ends 31 of the side handles 28 have abutments extending transversely from the sides of the dischargespout which abutments engage the edges of the tender hole 32 when the discharge-spout is lowered into any of its operative positions indicated in Figs. 3 and 1. The handles 28. 29 and 30 give satisfactory and convenient hundholds for brakemenor firemen in moving the spent to and from operative positions, The rear of the spout 14 is provided with a reinforcing band 33. As best shown in'Fig. 6 twin chains 34 and 35 are secured at 36 and 37 to this band at corresponding points on the sides thereof midway between the top and sides of the spout. The chains in turn are connected to an eye 38 secured to the underside of the discharge-pipe 11 at a point substantially midway of its are of curvature. The two chains in position thus form a V which in their connection with the collar 33 at the rear of the discharge-spout normally straddle the delivery-pipe when the discharge-spout is in either its outer or inner positions. These chains not only limit the exteiit o f movement of the dischargespout along thedelivery-pipe in both directions but also operate to hold it against excessive rotation in mean positions while allowing the necessary twist to reach a poorly spotted or creeping engine.

It will be noted that the discharge-spout 14 while shown as formed with an irregular top (for convenience ot-fabrication), yet has a top contour which is substantially the are of curvature of the top of the delivery. The bottom of the spout, however, extends in a straight line which, when the spout is retracted to its inoperative position, consti tutes a chord of the are of curvature of the delivery-pipe. This bottom along the chord is cut away, as indicated at 50 in Figs. 1 and 5. This gives a discharge opening at the end of the spout slightly greater than the discharge opening from the delivery-pipe, and also permits the spout to occupy a re tracted position upon the delivery-pipe such that the spout (which has an extent only slightly less than that of the delivery-pipe) will substantially envelop the delivery-pipe and rest in a secure gravity held position.

In addition to the roller 26 located on the top of the delivery-pipe between the deliv cry-pipe and the supporting band or tracker bar 25, a second roller 51 may be applied to the inner end of the curved bar adjacent the supporting ring 33 which encircles the rear end 19 of the discharge-spout. This roller 51 is adapted to engage the incline 27 and the top of the delivery-pipe after it has passed forward of the roller 26, thus insuring a rolling contact of the support of the discharge spout with the delivery pipe throughout the range of movement of the discharge-spout.

Across the end of the delivery-pipe 11 is a bail 40 which is conveniently positioned to receive the hook of the fireman or operator whereby the delivery-pipe is swung from a position parallel to the track to one at right angles thereto in which the discharge-spout may be conveniently pulled forward and lowered into the tender hole of the locomotive to be filled, the handles 28 and 29 being used for that purpose and the cross bail 30 pmviding means for holding the discharge spout while the same is in operation and for lifting it to return it to inoperative position. Levers 41 and 42, indicated in Fig. 6, are joined at 43 and have connected therewith a chain 44 which can be grasped by the operator to operate the levers, which, through connections indicated generally at 45 and members not shown, control the valve for admitting water to the pipe.

The operation of the simple and efficient structure aboye described will be readily understood. The stand-pipe and deliverypipe forming a continuation thereof comprise a continuous structure adapted to bridge a considerable part of the gap between thestand-pipe and the water hole and discharge the water at the end of the deliv cry-pipe ina downwardly directed. stream having a general direction toward any of the different positions of the water holes with which the device may cooperate, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. The discharge-spout is wholly supported upon the delivery-pipe. It is provided with a supporting member which conforms substantially to the arc of curvature of the delivery-pipe. It has a nozzle-opening suitable for entrance into any water hole to which it may be applied and at the same time it has an internal cross sectional area at points where the water may be discharged into it many times greater than the cross sectional area of the deliverypipe, thus insuring perfect freedom to the How of the Water without regurgitation or spilling from backing up no matter what the operative angle may be at which the discharge-spout is positioned. The supporting element curved into the arc of the supporting periphery of the delivery-pipe in combina tion with the anti-friction rollers upon the delivery pipe and discharge-spout insure the utmost ease of bringing the dischargespoul from inoperative to its various operative positions and the extensive cross sectional area of the discharge-spout at various points where the water enters the same from the delivery-pipe not only insures perfect discharge of the Water when the spout is in any one of a large number of different positions, but is a feature which makes it possible to so vary the discharge positions of the spout. It is this combination of features whiclngives this stand-pipe the very large range of vertical in and out, and lateral delivery that makes it practical to use the same stand-pipe between sets of tracks spaced diiierent distances apart, from sixteen or even fourteen up to twenty feet, andto serve tenders of large variation in height and engines that are not spotted with eXactness or that creep. Furthermore, this extensive flexibility of the discharge spout is secured without any cranes or supporting members, and said spout alihough large in cross section, is relatively short and usually envelope a-considerable part of the deliverypipe when in operation.

I claim: 7

- 1. A railway water column, comprisin a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe exten ed therefrom and continuously curved in, the arc of a circle, and a discharge-spout enveloping and movable along said curved por tion, said curved portion serving as the support for the spout bycooperation with the. interior thereof.

2; A railway Water column comprisin a stand-pipe havinga delivery-pipe extended therefroin and continuously curved in the arc of a circ1e,'and a discharge-spout with supporting means formed in connection therewith, said supportin means'eirtending in a eorrespondin in; an resting upon an movable along s'a d elivery-pi'pe.

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3. A railway watercolumn comprising a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe extended therefrom and continuously curved in the arc of a. circle, a discharge-spout with supporting means formed in connection therewith, said supporting means extending in a corresponding arc and resting upon and movable along said delivery-pipe, and antifrictional means disposed between the supporting member and the delivery-pipe.

l. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe extended therefrom and continuously curved in the are of a circle, a discharge-spout with supporting means formed in connection therewith, said supporting means resting upon and movable along said delivery-pipe, and a roller carried by said pipe and engageable with the supporting member.

5. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe extended therefrom and continuously curved in the arc of a circle, a. discharge-spout with supporting meaiis formed in connection therewith, said supporting means resting upon and movable along said delivery-pipe, and a roller carried upon the delivery-pipe at a point distant from the end of the deliverypipe approximately two-thirds of the length of the discharge-spout and engageable by the said supporting member.

6. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe extended therefrom and continuously curved in the arc of a circle, a discharge-spout with supporting means formed in connection therewith, said supporting means extending in a corresponding arc and resting upon and movable along said delivery-pipe, and a roller carried by said pipe and engageable with the supporting member.

7. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe extended therefrom and continuously curved in the are of a circle, a discharge-spout with supporting means formed in connection therewith, said supporting means extending in a corresponding are and resting upon and movable along said delivery-pipe, and a roller carried upon the delivery-pipe at a point distant fromthe end of the deliverypipe approximately two-thirds of the length of the discharge-spout and engageable by the said supporting member.

8. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe extended therefrom and continuously curved in the arc of a. circle having a radius substantially one-half the minimum distance from the stand-pipe to the tender hole of a locomotive served thereby, and a discharge spout wholly supported upon and movable along said delivery-pipe.

9. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe-extending therefrom and continuously curved in the arc of a circle having a radius substantially one-half the minimum distance from the stand-pipe to the tender hole of a locomotive served thereby, said delivery-pipe extending laterally from the stand-pipe a distance greater than said radius of curvature, and a discharge-spout wholly supported upon and movable along said delivery pipe.

.10. A railway water column comprisin a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe extendi iig therefrom and continuously curved in the arc of a circle having a radius substantially one-half the minimum distance from the stand-pipe to the tender-hole of a locomotive served thereby, said delivery-pipe ex tending laterally from the stand-pipe a distance greater than said radius of curvature, and a discharge-spout wholly supported upon and movable along said delivery-pipe,

said discharge-spout being provided with a supporting member engaging the upper periphery of the deliverypipe and curred in n corresponding arc.

11. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a deli'vei-yqiipe extending therefrom and continuously curved in the are of a circle having a radius substantially onehalf the minimum distance from the stand-pipe to the tenderhole of a locomotive served thereby, said dclivei-ypipc extending laterally from the stand-pipe a distance greater than said radius of curvature, an anti-friction roller, and a correspondingly curred supporting bar within the dischargespout, engaging said roller.

12. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe extending therefrom and continuously curred in the arc of a circle having a radius substantially one half the. minimum distance from the stand-pipe to the tender-hole of a locomotive served thereby, said delivery-pipe extending laterally from the stand-pipe a distance greater than said radius of curvature, and a discharge-spout supported by the delivery pipe, said discliargespout havin a length substantially equal to the extent 0% the delivery-pipe and being formed along its top in substantially the curve of the upper portion of the delivery-pipe and along its bottom in a strai ht line chord of said curve.

13. railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a delivery pipe extending therefrom and continuously curved in the arc of a circle, a discharge-spout supported by said delivery-pipe, a curved supporting bar within the discharge-spout and anti-friction rollers between the bar and the deliveryipe. p 14. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a delivery-pipe extending therefrom and continuously curved in the arc of a circle, a discharge-spout supported by said delivery-pipe, a curved supporting bar within the dischar e-spout, a roller on the u iper portion of t e delivery pipe engagea le with said curved bar and a roller on said spout cngageable with the deliverypi e.

1 A railway water column comprising a stand-pipc having a delivery-pipe extending therefrom and continuously curved in the arc of a circle, a discharge-spout supported by said delivery pipe, a curved supporting bar Within the discharge-spout, a roller on the upper portion of the delivery pipe on gageable with said curved bar, and a roller on the spout engageable with the deliverypi c, said first named roller being located at substantially the middle of the curved delivery ipe, and the second I'oller being located at t e upper part of the rear of the discharge-spout.

16. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a laterally extended delivery pipe a sheet metal discharge spout wholly supported upon and movable along said delivery-pipe, said discharge-spout haw ing handle bars on the sides thereof, and a handle loop arch across the top.

17. A railway water column comprising a stand-pipe having a deliverypipe continuously curved in the arc of a circle, a discharge-spout with correspondingly curved supporting means formed in connection therewith resting upon and movable along said delivery-pipe, said discharge-spout having substantially the curve of the deliverypipe along its top and a straight line along its bottom whereby the cross sectional area of the discharge-spout is greatest at the central portion thereof.

18. A water column comprising a standpipe having a laterally extended deliverypipe and a discharge-spout Wholly supported upon and movable along said delivery-pipe, said discharge-spout being formed with a substantially continuously curved top outline and a straight line bottom outline whereby the cross sectional area of the discharge spout progressively increases from the ends toward the center.

19. A Water column comprising a standpipe having a laterally extended deliverypipe and a discharge-spout wholly supported upon and movable along said delivcry-pipe, said discharge-spout being formed with a substantially continuously curved top outline and a straight line bottom outline and having an ellipsoidal central cross section with the narrow curvature at said straight outline.

20. A water column comprising a standpipe having a laterally extended deliverypipe and a discharge-spout supported by direct engagement with the top of and movable along said delivery-pipe, said discharge-spout being formed with a substantially continuously curved top outline and front and rear end openings extending in planes substantially along radii of said curve.

21. A water column comprising a standpipe having a laterally extended deliverypipe and a discharge-spout wholly supported upon and movable along said delivery-pipe. said dischargespout being formed with a substantially continuously curved top outline and front and rear end openings extending in planes substantially along radii of said curve, and a pair of chains connected with the discharge-spout near the upper part of opposite sides of the rear opening, said chains passing on opposite sides of the delivery-pipe and being connected to acommon oint on the underside of the same whereby the movement of the dischargespout in either direction is limited and the same is held in erected position.

22. A water column comprising a standpipe having a delivery-pipe continuously curved in the are of a circle, a dischargespout Wholly supported upon and movable along said delivery-pipe, a pair of chains connected to an eye at substantially the middle point of the underside of the deliverypipe, said chains being connected at their other ends to the rear end of the dischargespout on opposite sides of the delivery-pipc for limiting the movement of the discharge spout in both directions and holding the discharge-spout from tipping.

23. A Water column comprising a stand-' pipe having a laterally extended dcliverypipe and a discharge-spout wholly supported upon and movable along said delivery-pipe, said discharge-spout being formed with a substantially continuously curved top outline and a straight line bottom outline, and front and rear openings extending in planes substantially along radii of said curve, said front openin being extended rearward along the line 0% said bottom and providing an opening for receiving the end of the delivery-pipe When the dischargespout is in retracted position.

24. A water column comprising a standpipe having a delivery-pipe continuously curved in the arc of a circle, a dischargespout havin a curved supporting portion, means for limiting the rearward movement of the dischar e-spout on the delivery-pipe, a roller secure to the upper side of the deliver -pipe and engaging said supporting mem er, said roller bein located so that when the discharge spout is in its rearward position the center of gravity thereof is for- Ward of the roller.

25. A railwa water column comprising a vertical stan -pipe, a delivery-pipe forming an extension thereof Which is curved in the arc of a circle havin a radius of such length and said pipe being so extended as to direct the stream of Water in a semicircular path toward the water hole of the tender, and a discharge-spout overlapping the delivery-pipe and movable thereon for controlling the stream of Water after it leaves the delivery-pipe.

26. A railway Water column comprising a vertical stand-pipe, a delivery-pipe forming an extension thereof whieh is curved in the are of a circle having a radius of such length and said pipe being so extended as to direct the stream of water in a semi-cir' cular path toward the water hole of the tender, and a discharge-spout overlapping the delivery-pipe and movable thereon for controlling the stream of water after it leaves the delivery-pipe, said dischargespout being centrally expanded and supported upon the delivery-pipe so as to be capable of oscillation in and out laterally relatively to delivery-pipe for serving tenclers at different heights and distances from the stand-pipe.

27. A railway Water column comprising a delivery pipe having a curved portion, a

discharge spout enveloping and movable along said curved portion, said curved portion serving the principal support for the spout hy cooperation with the interior of the spent.

28. A railway Water column comprising a delivery pipe having a curved portion, a discharge spout el'iveloping and .Inovable along said curved portion. and means for elfecting support of said spout by direct engagement with said curved portion in any of the positions of the discharge spout.

29. A railway Water column comprising a standpipe having a continuously-curved delivery-pipe, a discharge spout enveloping and movable along said curved deliverypipe, and means between the interior of the spout and the curve of the delivery-pipe serving as the principal support for the spout.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

EDWARD E. JOHNSON.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G." 

